Advicewise – first update for 2021
The first employment law update for 2021 covers a recent employment law decision re Covid-19 pay deductions. Read the detail here
Waitangi Day 2021
This year Waitangi Day falls on Saturday 6 February, and employees who would not otherwise work on that Saturday, get Monday 8 February off on full pay, as Waitangi Day.
Employees who would otherwise work on that Saturday, get that day off on full pay. If they work on that day, they are paid time-and-a-half for the time they worked, and an alternate day off.
New employees qualify immediately – there is no 6-month waiting period like for sick and bereavement leave. Remember that casuals also get public holidays.
Factors to consider if it is not clear whether the employee would have worked on that Saturday, are:
- Whether the employee would have worked if that day had not been a public holiday
- The employee’s employment agreement and work patterns
- Any other factors, such as:
- Whether the employee only works when work is available
- The employer’s rosters or similar systems
- The reasonable expectations of employer and employee whether that day would be worked